Young People! Five women and four men are building their forestation chops in our new mentoring program. We are having a ball.
At first some of the women seemed distracted by such weighty matters as their weekend plans. But it’s clear now that they are the stars of the class. All the proteges have solid biology and chemistry thanks to the CODEP school program they attended. Thus, we easily moved through the introductory material about germination, species identification and environmental impact.
The opening project has been the construction of a nursery. This has been an undertaking in improvisation! We decided to wedge it in at the Depot next to an abandoned shipping container. We chose the tight spot because we will want to show it to visitors — once we can host visitors again!
Given the height of the container on one side, the women unwound a section of chain link to salvage strong wire to hold extension poles in place. That effort will allow them to string a tarp at a proper height to shade the plants. New seedlings need warmth and moisture, but too much noonday sun in Haiti is a killer.
Stay tuned. There is a competition for whose seedlings will emerge first. The proteges are debating which seeds germinate the fastest and considering other strategies that will put them ahead. It’s sheer joy to see them so engaged.
Join the Food Basket Appeal on Facebook.
Reforestation Workers Need Help.
$6 will supply a CODEP forestry worker and their family with a gift of rice, beans, corn meal, and vegetables.
Given the political upheaval and shortages in the markets, people are struggling to keep their families fed. Many are down to one meal a day. Help us offer a supplemental basket of staples to get them through these hard times.
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